PROVIDENCE –
Mayor Brett P. Smiley’s administration is making another change to the development review process for new residential construction it says will increase housing supply and spark economic growth.
City officials on Thursday confirmed the launch of a so-called "Parent Permit" program –
a multi-use plan aimed at streamlining permitting by allowing developers to submit a building plan once and reuse it for future projects across different lots within the city.
Developers will be able to submit construction drawings and all alternative layout options for one, two, or three-family dwellings through a newly created link in the online portal. Once approved, subsequent permits for future projects can be secured by applying for a "Child Permit" based on the original Parent Permit. Building designers will be required to provide an affidavit for each reuse of the plan.
Smiley said this innovation will eliminate the need for “repetitive reviews” by the city’s Department of Inspections and Standards.
“We are continuously improving our processes and finding innovative ways to expedite development in every neighborhood,” said Smiley, who called the reform one of “numerous efficiencies to accelerate the development of new housing units at every price point throughout Providence."
Child Permits permits will still need site plans and vetting by the Department of Public Works and the fire department.
The announcement follows another reform implemented in July that shortened the timeline between a development application and project completion by allowing DIS to expedite new applications through a “concurrent review process” that begins immediately after submission of a site plan and construction drawings.
Though statewide, Providence has stood out among Rhode Island municipalities struggling to address rising prices and inadequate supply. A 2023 report by Zillow found that rents in Providence increased almost 8% year-over-year, faster than any other city in the country.
Smiley said the latest reform continues a multi-pronged agenda to modernize city services and increase housing stock.
“By removing the unnecessary obstacles in the review process for new residential spaces, my administration is dramatically expediting the efficiency and speed in which new homes can be constructed,” he said.
Christopher Allen is a PBN staff writer. You may contact him at Allen@PBN.com
